Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed a long term contract with BAE Systems to provide in-service support for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers. The Type 45 Daring Class destroyers are each powered by two, cutting-edge, Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbines.
This contract, worth £20 million, is part of an innovative approach to supporting the Type 45 fleet – known as Class Output Management. This arrangement will deliver guaranteed availability of the WR-21 engines to support the ships’ demanding operational schedules, allowing the MoD to focus solely on meeting its operational requirements.
The initial contract is for six years. However, options are in place for extensions to cover the entire life of the vessels – in excess of 30 years.
Chris Curtis, Head of Supply Chain for UK Ship Support Programmes at BAE Systems , said: “ This contract with Rolls-Royce formalises the support arrangements for the WR-21 gas turbine. We now look forward to working with Rolls-Royce as one of our key suppliers in delivering a highly incentivised and cost effective support provision to one of the world’s most advanced classes of warship.”
Matt Nadin , Rolls-Royce, Head of Type 45 Support, said: “The WR-21 is the world’s most technically advanced marine gas turbine, incorporating a modular design for ease of maintenance and innovative fuel efficiency features.
“This long-term agreement is a recognition that Rolls-Royce is uniquely placed to provide in-service support for this cutting-edge technology, ensuring high levels of operational availability for the Type 45 vessels. We look forward to working closely with BAE Systems and the UK MoD in support of their mission critical operations.”
The WR-21 is a highly efficient marine gas turbine, fitted with recuperators that recover energy from the exhaust, which is used to preheat combustion air, which in turn reduces fuel consumption by approximately one third.
Rolls-Royce is supplying a range of mission critical equipment and systems to the sixstrong Type 45 fleet. In addition to the gas turbines, this includes propellers, shaftlines and bearings, stabilising fins and low voltage electrical systems.
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Source: Rolls-Royce, May 25, 2011.